ABOUT KLM
The Kerala Labour Movement (KLM) is the official labour initiative of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), dedicated to advancing the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of workers across the state. Since its inception in 1972, KLM has played a pivotal role in organizing, empowering, and supporting workers—especially those in the unorganized sector—through decades of committed grassroots engagement. Driven by the vision of social justice and inclusive growth, KLM works through a network of diocesan facilitation centers and workers’ forums that connect directly with communities at the local level.
MAJOR FORUMS OF KLM
An initiative of the Kerala Labour Movement, the Kerala Domestic Workers Forum (KDWF) works to organize and empower domestic workers—one of the most marginalized and unprotected groups in the informal sector. The forum advocates for fair wages, decent working conditions, access to social security, and legal recognition. It also facilitates capacity-building programs, awareness sessions, and a support network to enhance the dignity and wellbeing of domestic workers across the state. Grounded in the values of justice, solidarity, and inclusion, KDWF continues to be a strong collective voice championing the rights of domestic workers in Kerala.
It is a collective of independent construction workers who often fall outside the scope of formal labour protections. The union works to organize these workers, ensuring their access to fair wages, workplace safety, welfare schemes, and skill development opportunities. By creating a unified platform, the union empowers members to voice their concerns, negotiate better working conditions, and secure dignified livelihoods. Rooted in principles of justice, equity, and solidarity, the union plays a vital role in advocating for the rights and recognition of informal construction workers across Kerala
It is an initiative of the Kerala Labour Movement aimed at organizing workers in the tailoring sector, many of whom operate independently or within informal employment arrangements. The forum seeks to ensure recognition, fair wages, access to welfare benefits, and improved working conditions for tailoring workers. It also facilitates skill development, legal awareness, and collective bargaining. By providing a structured platform for engagement, the forum supports tailoring workers in achieving greater economic security and social dignity within the broader labour framework of Kerala. KTWF has been instrumental for enrollment of tailoring workers in the Kerala Tailoring workers Welfare Fund Board.
UWF brings together individuals working in various informal and unregulated sectors, who often lack basic labour rights and protections. This forum aims to empower unorganized workers by advocating for their inclusion in welfare schemes, ensuring fair treatment, and building awareness about their rights. Through collective action, skill-building programs, and policy-level engagement, the forum works to enhance the visibility, dignity, and social security of unorganized workers across Kerala—ensuring no worker is left behind in the development process. The operation started in 1991 in full form. Workers between 18 and 50 years of age who are unable to become members of other welfare funds working in the unorganized sector are eligible to become members.
A dedicated platform for self-employed and unorganized workers across the fisheries sector—including traditional fishers in the sea and backwaters, ice factory workers, and fish vendors in local markets. The forum addresses the unique challenges faced by this community, such as income instability, occupational hazards, and vulnerability to climate change. It works to secure fair wages, access to social security schemes, safety measures, and livelihood protection. By organizing and empowering fisheries workers, the forum plays a vital role in promoting their rights, improving their quality of life, and preserving the cultural and economic significance of Kerala’s fishing communities.